President Mark Sorenson welcomed everyone to our virtual meeting today. Originally a speaker was expected, but that part of the program had to be rescheduled. However, under President Mark and our "Zoom" guru Mike Christie kept everyone entertained and there were many topics to discuss through the hour.
President Mark reminded everyone that the official "unveiling" of the road renaming will take place on Wednesday afternoon, at approximately 4:00 pm at the corner of Brier Park Place and 23rd St NW. That is the Medicine Hat Brewing Company corner. The original street name sign will be replaced with "ROTARY CENTENNIAL DRIVE", one of the projects the club selected to recognize our centennial way back in 2018. Rotarians have been invited and a social will follow.
We hope to get media coverage from both CHAT TV and the Medicine Hat News....and the Mayor will be in attendance.
Rotary Club "What-z New":
President Mark was very happy to announce that Peter Mueller has joined the Board of the Rotary club this year, serving as a Director at Large, with the objective of taking on the role of Youth Services in the next Rotary year. Welcome Peter and thank you for your commitment.
Rotary Club Membership Update:
The membership committee will be meeting on Wed. If you are interested in helping this working group, please contact Mike Christie.
Rotary Club Information:
Housekeeping:
Please collect club draw items. It is an important part of our meeting and the funds generated help to run the club.
If you have a Meeting Minute, please phone or email the Newsletter and we'll include it.
Board minutes can be found on ClubRunner, under Club Documents.
Upcoming Club Program, Activities, and Meetings
On Wednesday October 7th, we will have an "on site" celebration of the renaming of 23rd St NW to "Rotary Centennial Drive". Invitations are out.
The is NO MEETING on Monday October 12th, HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
A work party is being put together for Tuesday October 13th, to do a shift at Prairie Gleaners.
The next Rotary bingo is Wednesday October 14th...watch for a sign up email soon.
The meeting on Monday October 19th will be a ZOOM meeting, and feature a presentation on the Club's Centennial History document.
Upcoming Rotary District and International Events:
Mark this date in your calendars, the 2021 Rotary District Conference is May 14 - 16, 2021 in Drumheller, AB.
Future Programs:
The Rotary Club's Program Coordinator is Jillian Koch. If you have future program ideas, please email Jillian at jkoch@jmhca.com
The meeting was full of minutes and updates on Rotary projects going on over the past few months.
The RI Gold Club Citation certificate for the 2019-2020 Rotary year has arrived and is in the safekeeping of Secretary Doug Fleming. PP Margie gave tribute to the Board and members for this achievement, our club was one of only four clubs in the District in 2019-2020 which achieved this recognition.
PRESIDENTIAL PROJECT DONATION
PP Margie advised that the group of new members, Shalla, Igor and Peter, are having a Zoom meeting on Wednesday (8 October) to decide which of the projects / initiatives on which they have gathered information, will be the recipient of the $1,000. Their choice will be put to the Board for approval, after which a presentation will be made at a regular noon meeting, hopefully before the end of the year. These members have enjoyed the opportunity this project has created, to get to know more about community needs and possible ways in which Rotary can respond.
NEW GENERATIONS SERVICE EXCHANGE PROGRAM
So as not to allow the COVID virus to totally paralyze the NGSE program globally, District 3131 in India is wanting to organize virtual placements of 18-30 year olds with families and at work places in their District. If you know of any young person who would like to venture into this unchartered territory and help make the path by walking it, please ask him/her to contact Margie Booyens for further details. An application form will be sent out to all members of our Club, for distribution to interested young people. The NGSE program is all about exposure to chosen field of studies/work getting to know the culture of the country and people in the district, and voluntary service.
WORLD POLIO DAY, SUNDAY OCT 24, 2020.
PDF Sandy Mackay reminded Rotarians that although this project has made great headway, the work is still not complete. Africa has been declared "wild Polio" free, the only cases that now exist stem from vaccine related reactions, due to living conditions and diet.
It will be difficult to promote World Polio Day as we did last year, with gathering restrictions in place, but it was suggested that members please consider making donations to RI for Polio Plus, in lieu of October and November Zoom lunches - which would total $100. The easiest way to make a donation is to go to "My Rotary" and sign in, and click on the donate button.
It is the clubs intention to publicize the efforts of Rotary through local media and social media platforms. It is not a disease that attracts much attention anymore in North America as it has been so long since active cases were being treated.
Sandy will be organizing a speaker (a neurologist) to address members on polio at a regular Zoom noon meeting.
DENTURES FOR THE ELDERLY - SRI LANKA PROJECT
Terry Cooper, a member of our International Service Committee provided a quick update on this project, which was started last year and has been severely impacted by COVID lockdowns. The project was set to provide dentures to at least 300 patients, but was shutdown from mid-March through to late summer. About 100 patients have been provided with denture work, and about $2,000 of our original donation of $10,000 has been spent. The project will be ramping up again, depending on good public health conditions, and there will be a more formal presentation of the project once about 75% of the money and the work is complete.
A copy of the Powerpoint presentation on this project has been filed under "Club Documents - Presentations" on Clubrunner.
If you are interested in receiving an electronic version of "The Rotarian" please log onto MyRotary and follow this link. There is a form to fill out, so you can save postage and trees. You will need the information off the mailing label of your current copy of the Rotarian. The link is https://my.rotary.org/en/node/18361 .
Doug Fleming mentioned that the Saamis Rotary Club is having a "Cheer for a Year" draw this fall, tickets are available from the Rafflebox website.
President Mark mentioned that the Sunrise Rotary Club is also having a Christmas 50/50 draw. Tickets are available through the club.
Dave Panabaker also mentioned that the annual District Grant qualification webinar is happening on Saturday October 17, from 9 am to noon. Please register on the District website, the link is https://rotary5360.ca/event/club-learning-webinar-2.
Kitt Brand mentioned that the Immigrant Library books have been ordered, and more information will be presented once the books arrive.
Dave Stalwick thanked everyone who volunteered for the next bingo, he has a full team for Oct 14.
Dave Panabaker and Glen Presley took a little time today to remind everyone that Club 1000 tickets are being distributed and we really depend on the Rotarians in the club to sell these to family, friends, the community and those who would specifically like to support the Rotary Music Festival.
Several recent Rosebowl winners and participants in the Rosebowl competition will be performing a concert to benefit St Josephs home. It promises to be a great afternoon of music, these are three outstanding musicans. Please book the date into your calendar and join them for this wonderful event.
If you have photos or a story to include in the Weekly News, please submit it to Dave P and we'll try to publish it.
Birthdays: October.
Theresa Eisenbarth October 7.
Peter Mueller October 13.
Doug Thorson October 13.
Igor Grujic October 15.
Jack Snedden October 26.
Club Anniversaries: October.
Anne Carrier 7 years Oct 7, 2013.
Dale Stein 13 years Oct 22, 2007.
Terry Partis 20 years Oct 25, 2000.
Makeups:
Doug Fleming has started keeping track of attendance, as we start back at regular meetings.
Family of Rotary: (PLEASE KEEP ADOLF INFORMED ABOUT MEMBERS SO THAT INFORMATION CAN BE PASSED ON TO ALL IN THE WEEKLY NEWS)..
Gerry Nadeau is currently at home, and appreciates visits and phone calls.
Al Garden has moved from Masterpiece to the Riverview Care Center, to be closer to Tanis.
